Reb Beach Wrote The 80s Riff EVERYONE Needs To Learn

[@HaXaW5150]

The boys from Ratt wrote some pretty cool riffs as well.

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

tricky to play too

[@mikesurel5040]

Their riffs were way cool, junior.

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Yup

[@mikeg6666]

Absolutely right , Warren Demartini along with George Lynch and Jake E Lee.

[@adamhamiltonguitar]

Yup just was gonna say this Warren was one of if not the best riff writers imo

[@Mudder1310]

Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton of Queensryche are always overlooked. Their first 5 records are loaded with riffs.

[@Midaswelby-r3h]

Operation Mindcrime is one of the greatest prog albums of all time

[@hairmetaltimemachine7132]

Yes, yes and yes!

[@ddguitars1969]

Oh man the rage for order album….just proper metal!

[@metaldad1967]

Operation: Mindcrime! The Warning! Rage For Order!!!

[@RycheForOrder]

Loaded with riffs, killer modal solos, progressive bridges, harmonizing dual leads, etc....best duo of the 80's or 90's!

[@andybecker5001]

I met Reb at a restaurant in an airport years ago. They were playing cool 80s rock on speakers at the bar. I said something to the guy next to me about how awesome def leopard was. Reb was sitting next to me, I had no idea who he was, and said yeah they’re good dudes and fun to hangout with. I gave him a puzzled look. He said, I’m the guitar player from Winger. WHAT!?!.. we talked and had beers for next half our about winger, white snake, Alice cooper, guitars, amps…until he had to get his flight. he was just awesome. Friendly and gracious.

[@russk1971]

I met Reb at a guitar clinic in the early 90s. The clinic was skipped due to only 3 guitar players showing up, everyone else was a fan. After the impromptu concert he signed autographs. When it was my turn i asked a question about how he taps. He gave me a one on one tapping lesson. He is just a regular great person who enjoys playing guitar.

[@TreatzTMA]

Great story!! Love it!!!

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

John Sykes is the best riff writer if you take just one album like you did with Winger's first. The Whitesnake 1987 album is a masterpiece and "Still of the Night" riff is untouchable.

[@ChristianMuenznerOfficial]

Also the first Blue Murder, even better imo

[@DarkSim77]

Warren DeMartinis Lay it Down riff is the Alpha and Omega of all riffs..

[@dieterschanzerbschonsmrics3528]

Agreed - Sykes was very much overlooked at the time by the hoards BUT those who knew, knew. Monster player.

[@artistCDMJ]

Those songs were already written and played by the original Whitesnake line up before Coverdale hired the new band including Sykes.

[@brandondickie3456]

@@artistCDMJOnly the songs “Here I go again” and “crying in the rain”. Sykes co-wrote the rest of the album, like “still of the night”, “don’t turn away”, “bad boys”, “children of the night”, “you’re gonna break my heart again”, “looking for love”, “is this love”, “straight for the heart”, “give me all your love”

[@rogerdat7807]

Dave Meneketti - Y&T. Killer riffs, great solos, and Bro could sing as good anyone of the time.

[@kingboda]

John Sykes... between the Whitesnake album and Blue Murder... some cool stuff.

[@mikeg6666]

That's one guy who is so underrated it's sickening!

[@AllThingmac]

I love Sykes. And he's a pretty amazing singer also.

[@totigerus]

@@AllThingmac I can’t think of anyone who shreds and can sing that well like Sykes. He’s honestly in a class all his own. No, not Hendrix, and no not Crapton either.

[@drockny]

@@totigerus Only other musician is Dan Huff that could come close to Sykes.

[@totigerus]

@@drockny thx ill have to check him out

[@matthewearl9824]

Vivian Campbell

[@podgod889]

Bill Leverty from Firehouse had some great riffs

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

The intro and playing on Reach for the sky are phenomenal .

[@shakes268]

Very nice guy too!

[@johnnywomack548]

Reb is SO underrated as a player and a writer. He's a true original.

[@Resonance195]

hey man! I'm a 16 year old kid who just loves the 80s shred stuff loll. Two of my favorite riff writers of the 80s was Michael Sweet and Oz Fox of the band Stryper. Love their stuff.

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

Those dudes get such short shrift as guitarists and writers its completely insane .

[@purplishshoegaze]

they rip

[@shawnwalkom6035]

and they're still tearing it up !!!

[@robertyoung7027]

Vito Bratta, another hugely under-rated guitarist

[@POOKIE5592]

Overlooked, maybe. Not underrated.

[@totigerus]

@@POOKIE5592 I don’t really see a difference

[@TenderNMeaty]

The solo in "Wait" was amazing.

[@Midaswelby-r3h]

I’ve always liked White Lion but having a rhythm guitarist would have elevated their music in my opinion

[@typedeaf]

Agreed. I always think of Reb and Vito as the 2 most underrated... that I know of. But recently I have discovered a few guitarists that were insane that I wasnt even familiar with.

[@jerrycarroll9068]

Jake E Lee wrote some killer riffs that he never got credit for!!

[@mikeg6666]

Jake and George and Warren Demartini who wrote the best riffs IMO!

[@phutureproof]

Bark at the moon one of my favourite riffs! and shot in the dark almost forgot that one 🤘

[@TheMasonator777]

We all knew he did.

[@mikeg6666]

@@phutureproof Listen to the first 2 Badland albums , Jake was fire 🔥 on them. But good luck finding it because it's not on Spotify , you might find it on YT....

[@rugdnit911]

Sharon did that to many great musicians

[@Grumpyseabee22]

Criss Oliva of Savatage , very under rated guitarist from the 80's and 90's.

[@Bryanpjc]

Yes sir!

[@RudeRaptor]

Agree !

[@toddrichards3294]

Agreed! Very underrated!

[@gaxunil]

oooo I remember Savatage, oh man that hasn't crossed my brain in a loong time :)

[@MikeyAR7373]

Criss was a great guitarist and song writer , to bad we lost him so soon !! Can’t believe it’s been over 30 years since his passing

[@mickenilsson]

Seventeen by Winger is just soo hard to play exactly right with the timing and stuff. That riff is fire!!

[@DanteSpinotti1]

I've never seen anyone do it

[@RycheForOrder]

Chris Degarmo - Michael Wilton

[@GordonHeaney]

Kings of the dissonant double stop riffs

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Chris Degarmo wrote some cool riffs. Empire is a real cool riff and so is Jet City Woman.

[@theyetidude]

1990

[@mick4316]

The boys from Scorpions. They had so many memorable riffs.

[@Metallian81]

I agree, everything they did was amazing.

[@MDevCox]

TY TABOR!!!!!

[@jraelien5798]

A TRUE Master. Ty Tabor makes Reb Beach sound like a little kid.

[@bigbugger7660]

Yep! Ty Tabor riffs are on another level, the outro to "I'll never be the same" being one of my all time favs.

[@TreatzTMA]

@@bigbugger7660what a song. Love how they allude to the outro riff earlier in the song before they ride out the song with it

[@draelyc]

This!!! Try to play Lost In Germany… 🤯

[@patzguitarz]

Gary Moore - Murder in the Skies and Out in the Fields are a couple of banger riffs.

[@rodedawg77]

Craig Goldy had some badass riffs for Dio. And that right hand...😮

[@atrain670]

My favorite riff writers of the 80’s (in no particular order): Reb, John Sykes, Jake E. Lee, John Sykes, Warren DeMartini….and of course, Hetfield, Mustaine, & Scott Ian!

[@TW-rn1by]

Pete Lesperance of Harem Scarem - very overlooked and underappreciated in the cool riff industry. 😊

[@wakeupcanuck6763]

He's a beast!

[@franksravitch9688]

Snake Sabo and Scottie Hill from Skid Row wrote some awesome riffs. Monkey Business is a great example.

[@Lonewolf23-26]

Dude monkey business is such a killers song!

[@Killer-Machine42]

"The Threat" on Slave to the Grind is a top drop D riff for me, up there with Ratt's "Lay it Down". Probably my favorite to play from Skid Row.

[@davidsellers3639]

🎯💯🔥🔥

[@alwatts9713]

80's music was definitely cool and so happy to have been in high school right in the middle of it all. Am now waiting for history to repeat itself. 🙂

[@billyhiggins1908]

Akira Takasaki from Loudness, Japan

[@wakjob961]

Kip was/is such an underrated writer... and player too!

[@totigerus]

Metallica really fucked Winger. But Hair Metal was already on its way out my that Black Album video anyways so maybe it didn’t matter eat her way. 🧐

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

I saw them a lot in the89s as they toured with everybody , But remember the first time I saw Kip just solo and him with his acoustic opening up for Poison years ago and he was just frikkin fantastic .

[@Stratcat1967]

Great names are coming out on here, all noteworthy. Blues Saraceno needs a shout-out as well. 💯🤘

[@MeTuLHeD]

Agreed. Reb is a true badass. His riffs with Winger were killer!

[@therealcharliebrown]

WOW! SO MANY overlooked/forgotten guitarists who consistently, and repeatedly came up with killer licks, riffs, and solos; Neil Schon (Hardline, Journey), Mick Jones (Foreigner), Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Rick Stier (Kingdom Come), Joey Allen (Warrant - check out "Bridges Are Burning", on the Dog Eat Dog album), Paul Quinn, Graham Oliver (Saxon -- check out their cover of "Ride Like the Wind" on the Destiny album), and sooo many people for get Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), Jeff Carlisi (38 Special), Eric Carr (KISS), Paul Gilbert (Mr. BIG), Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), Mick Sweda (Bullet Boys - check out covers of Balls To The Wall, Livin' On A Prayer", and re-make of "Talk To Your Daughter"), Wolf Hoffman (Accept), Brian Forsythe, Ronnie Younkins (Kix), Rudolph Schenker, Matthias Jabs (Scorpions), Tim Kelly (Slaughter), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), and finally -- too often never mentioned -- Andy Timmons (Danger, Danger). Hopefully this gets the followers thinking a little more about their playlists and albums. :)

[@stoicscorpio3838]

Eric Carr for Kiss???

[@surfsunsand]

Neil Schon never played for Hardline, He was just there when the made the video. Eric Carr? He was the drummer

[@andygogocomics]

Erase the Slate is an underrated Reb album.🤘

[@beansandcornbread]

Yessss. Saw him on that tour and he was incredible.

[@stephensanchez9590]

So many great riffs on erase the slate,seen him on that tour also reb is fantastic and he also puts his own spin on all the George lynch stuff while in dokken, love George also

[@countdooku1971]

100% agree that Reb is the best, period. He's as smooth as it gets and is criminally underrated.

[@SeanGould]

I’m old enough to remember watching that performance on MTV.

[@drockny]

Reb is one of the must underrated guitarists of all time. He pioneered that "liquid-tapping" technique. John Sykes, George Lynch, Warren DeMartini, Jake E. Lee, Dan Huff, and Vito Bratta all legends with Reb. Nuno I believe debuted in the 90's, but he's up there as well. Beautiful Voyager btw Robert!

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

First Extreme album was like 89 so yeah! on the line .

[@AllThingmac]

I AGREEEEEEE! I saw the small thumbnail to this video, read the text and sat for a short moment and said out loud, "Reb Beach". Completely unfairly treated in history, JUST AS WINGER WAS, and he wrote the most amazing, hook-filled riffs I heard during that decade and probably any other. I truly appreciate you especially for giving him the props he deserves. Much love, mang!

[@russellzauner]

winger is still touring and his 12 string sessions are pretty great

[@nikkylicks1099]

In these days I’m very hooked with inside out’s xyz and Marc Diglio… Sick song and riff…

[@AudaciousAce1989]

I was looking for this comment! He's a super cool guy and an amazing musician. Last year I got the opportunity to take guitar lessons from him

[@davidpapendorf6764]

Agreed. Unbelievable player. His sound on their album "Hungry" is perfect.

[@stoicscorpio3838]

​@@davidpapendorf6764agreed. Always wanted to know what his setup was back then. Off To The Sun gives me chills no matter HOW many yours l times I hear it and the album is bookended by two absolute MONSTER tracks, Face Down In The Gutter and H.H. Boogie.

[@AudaciousAce1989]

@@stoicscorpio3838 It was a Jackson with a Seymour Duncan JB humbucket into a Mike Morin modded marshall. I think it may have been the JMP1 digital tube pre amp. If it wasn't that it may have been a Mike Morin modded jcm800?? I'll ask Mr Diglio when I get a chance. But good luck getting a Morin modded amp either way haha

[@edwardrice146]

Thanks for keeping the 80's riffs alive....Winger had some great riffs. I was always partial to the main riff in Seventeen. So many great bands back in the day. High School in the 80's was great. Many memories of getting out of school and cranking the car stereo...FWIW the frequency response on the airpod pro2's handle 80's rock very nicely.

[@Peter_Stoops]

Reb Beach, Vito Bratta, Nuno Bettencourt….the guys from the late 80’s….Vinnie Moore too….LOVE EM!!!

[@iliafigueroa4820]

I just have two words for everyone: TESLA! 😂

[@zandig666]

Saw winger a few times in the hay day man i thought they were toit and talented as hell !!! Reb was at the house of guitars doing a clinic at one of the rochester visits !!!! 🤟🤟🤟🤟 That never surrender riff slays !!!!

[@StephenCameron]

How about Vivian Campbell with Dio? Holy Diver and Last in Line albums are packed with awesome riffs.

[@mikeg6666]

Totally agree and forgot about him , I'd put him up there with Warren , George and Jake for sure....

[@ibmorjamn]

I have to agree , Vivian did not get half the credit he was due. Of course Jake E.

[@damonsdeliberatedetour492]

His work on the Dokken Erase the Slate was killer. I'm a huge Lynch fan but Reb wrote some great tunes for that album!

[@davidbaines7330]

I absolutely love GL, but I really didn’t miss him at all when I saw Reb with Dokken. Brilliant lineup.

[@Shreddin_4_Life]

Queensryche duo. Chris DeGarmo and Micheal Wilton wrote some awesome riffs back in the day! Even though queensryches sound changed a lot from there beginnings to the mid 90s there’s still some great playing!

[@TheCountofToulouse]

Him and Vito Bratta

[@mygt8a4re]

Wonder what ever happened to Vito, he just disappeared?

[@9unslin9er]

Family happened.

[@mygt8a4re]

@@9unslin9er gotcha, how do you know this?

[@9unslin9er]

@@mygt8a4re Eddie Trunk interview.

[@mygt8a4re]

@@9unslin9er thanks, I'll have to look that up

[@KimmeU]

Ronnie Le Tekrø

[@SonicVR12]

Yes! He's a wizard!

[@stinky_nut_blast]

Damn right ! Probably the most adventurous and inventive guitar player of the genre.

[@ddguitars1969]

He is a real phenomenon….wonderful music.

[@chuckwheat6944]

My top five riff writers of the 80's were definitely (in no order): Reb Beach George Lynch Jake E Lee Vito Bratta Michael Sweet

[@canyonproductions7683]

Reb Beach- George Lynch and the dream team- DeMartini/ Crosby

[@markf5229]

One of my favorite hidden gems on KZbin is Reb and Kip writing and recording IV. Killer musicianship.

[@JonBjork]

Reb is amazing. Great riffs and his lead tone is very unique, love his playing! Great video Robert:)

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

I started playing in 1984 and was obsessed with soloing (like most of us) but Reb and Nuno were the first guys that really got me excited about rhythm playing. I still play through "Loosen Up" during my warmup. Great post, Rob.

[@tq6158]

I met Reb a couple years ago when Winger played a local theater. We were walking through the parking lot as he was walking from his tour bus. Total down to earth guy. Great experience.

[@victorvaldenegro4001]

There’s a full concert video of Whitesnake with Reb and Doug Aldrich on guitars. It’s phenomenal! Must watch!

[@Marcus_C51]

Totally agree on that-I've had the DVD for years and always love checking it out--Reb is smokin' hot as usual and Doug is awesome as well. Phenomenal indeed!

[@major23bullsfan91]

My favorite Reb Beach riff is blind revolution mad (I know technically 90’s)

[@thefishbowlman]

"Pull" was released in the 90's, but is STILL one of the best 80's albums of all time!

[@azbababooey]

Dave Meniketti wrote some cool 80s riffs

[@anthonymcgill8035]

Killer player, man.

[@rosariocannistraro3561]

Such a beautiful player and his solos on the outros are simply the best , He rarely gets talked about anymore .

[@jimunderworld2904]

Agree with you on Beach but also think his heaviest competition and influence was DeMartini and then Lynch. Thx for the lesson!

[@betoreyes8167]

Yeah this riff has the same groove as "Lay it Down" by Warren De Martini from Ratt. This one is in a lower key and at a slower tempo, though.

[@5150gtrman]

REB and VITO made a HUGE impression in the World of Guitar and will be talked about for years to come. SKILL!!!!

[@Rocker6969]

As far as 80s metal or hair metal goes, Reb and Warren D are at the top of the elite !!

[@ziltoid-the-omniscient]

Many of his riffs are on the upbeat. Which is why they are fun to play imo. Love his voyagers and shurs too

[@RipVDub]

One of my favorite riffs to play when I first pick up the guitar. RB was is/was awesome. Always appreciated!

[@BMooreMusic]

@Robert Baker, Reb definitely was a great riff writer and this has always been one of my favorite riffs of his. Loving the 80s content. I know nobody ever likes to talk about them but Oz Fox and Michael Sweet from Stryper had just some sick riffs and leads!

[@lorettahookano6139]

Every song on the “ Pull “ album is incredible ! 🤙

[@jeffs4760]

Right on! Not only Reb but Winger as a whole were underrated.

[@sirlost94]

As a tip for anyone struggling with the palm muted As, play right after the previous chord, before you even start moving your fingers. That'll help you get the groove down

[@MorningstarLifeTX]

I sat and played with Reb for a few minutes at GC several years ago. Very cool guy! He's definitely a fantastic riff writer! His stuff is very fun to play! Vito and Nuno also write some very fun riffs to play!

[@williambain2646]

You should do an in depth look at Reb’s spin on two handed tapping. He had his own thing !!!!!!!

[@Dan_Ranger]

That fist tag always reminds me of a similar tag in Make it Last from Montrose. Love Reb’s little motifs!

[@billjohnston5833]

This is one of your best Robert!! Thank you!

[@tjmaclean]

Reb, Warren and George - the holy trinity!

[@tonedef71]

Lots of great 80s guitarists mentioned in this thread already. I also liked Kee Marcello's playing on Europe's "Out Of This World" album. I also enjoyed Danny Stag and Rick Steier on Kingdom Come's first two albums with Polygram records. Others: Steve Clark and Phil Collen of Def Leppard; Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch of Tesla; Erik Turner and Joey Allen of Warrant; Billy Squier; Matthias Jabs and Rudolf Schenker of the Scorpions; Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple/Rainbow; Tim Kelly of Slaughter; Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath; Randy Rhoads of Ozzy; Mladen of Von Groove; etc. So many great six string riffers, I could go on forever.

[@dennydabbs9272]

Adding Lynch into the conversation was the ! mark for me. Thanks.

[@byronbrown4977]

Thanks for this cool tiff . Lynch is my favorite guitarist. One of my favorites to play of his is The Hunter

[@colinerikstanhouse6385]

Being a teen in the 80s was absolutely insane.! The concerts, the parties, and the girls . Damn it was fun !

[@stephengreen9663]

Paul quinn of saxon fame brilliant guitarist and also fantastic riff guy. But such a very humble person. My hero on guitar. ❤🎉

[@staggs5034]

I’ve been learning Cutting Loose by Reb. It’s a riot to play and challenging. Love his riffs. You can tell when a guy is really influenced by EVH. Killer rhythm guitar work like Reb and Nuno.

[@athlonen]

I’m game for this. Everyone has already mentioned nearly everyone I would mention: Lynch, Bettencourt, DiGarmo/Wilton, etc.. but who is very underrated and missing here is Brooke St. James, from Tyketto. The riffs he had on Don’t Come Easy were phenomenal (Forever Young, Wings, Strip Me Down, etc.), but then doubled down on it with their second album, Strength in Numbers. The title track, Rescue Me, All Over Me, and Inherit the Wind were all breaths of fresh air while harking back to when those riffs were big from grunge and the like taking over in the mid 1990s.

[@adrianmonk68]

Love Reb Beach! Possibly my favourite.

[@JoeChecketts-bi6xs]

Great video, Robert. Thanks for posting. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and amazing guitar playing with us. I also always appreciate the positive vibe of your videos.

[@whaguitars]

"Can't Get Enough" I know it's their more poppy stuff but I love that riff.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Reb is good. I saw them live twice back in the day and he did a killer solo. It was wicked. ❤. Nice Ibanez man. ❤

[@goneflying140]

Love Reb's playing. He reminds me alot of my other 80's favorite, Warren Demartini.

[@jkapp76]

And you have the appropriate RBM1 Guitar! I bought the Koa wood RBM2 30 years or so ago. Small frets compared to modern options but hot pickups.

[@ericcomfort6228]

Marc Diglio from XYZ is an absolute beast of a riff writer. He had one of the best tones out there.

[@jshoenfe]

Plus he is an awesome guy to talk to, met him in Pittsburgh.

[@CraigArndt]

Kip went hard core classical, check out Rick Beato's interview last year. I never knew. This was awesome RB.

[@paulcostelow7713]

I remember loving that one, and soending hours trying to figure out what he was doing

[@cr2843-q9f]

His solo albums contain his best work, specifically The Fusion Tapes and A View From the Inside. Stellar musicianship. Wish he’d get back to fusion, it’s a natural fit for him more than Winger ever was/is.

[@nicholascopeland9561]

How about Def Leppard coming under fire

[@Darkitectband]

Such a killer song! Coming Under Fire could come out today and still be amazing. High & Dry and Pyromania have my vote all day long. Literally the albums that made me wanna start playing in the first place.

[@cc_1983]

Cant wait to learn this! Awesome riff Can you do more Winger stuff esp from that album? The day we’ll never see has such a riff

[@scottrussell4742]

I saw reb at his expo pushing his guitar and he explained that all in detail and was on front row

[@stevenlindsey2056]

That is a sweet Voyager my friend. I had the Koa one with a clear finish and gold hardware. I had to pawn it in 2000. They sold it before it my payment was due.

[@Marcus_C51]

Hey Robert-You've got no argument from me on how Reb's playing was underrated. He was one of the best. He really had some superb, very unique taps going on in his solos that were different! Also a fine rhythm player no doubt too! I must say that is one sweet Reb Signature Ibanez you've got, man it sounds (and looks) great! Never got one but always lusted after that model. Put in an EMG SA-SA-85 set like he used in a Charvel though. You've got some nice chops yourself by the way. Keep up the fine work!

[@MoneyGrip70]

Had that darn flu bug over new years up here in NY, hope your feeling better & glad ur back! Im an 80's teen as well, waiting for the resurgence 🎸 warren d, viv c , jake e etc

[@jettrink9502]

Best 80’s riff - check out “morning after” by Ratt. The riff was written by the king Robbin Crosby !

[@sirlost94]

you forgot to link the tabs!! Loved the tutorial. Really cool practice for timing

[@MoonMission_FX]

SUCH a fun riff to run! Thanks RB!

[@kastnerr]

Vito Bratta of White Lion, most melodic riffs of the era.

[@borncrazy24]

I wasn’t a huge Lion fan, but man his playing was just absolutely Stellar!! I never looked into why he just disappeared from the scene, but I would really like to have heard more from him. No doubt one of the best players of the time!!

[@jeffallen3382]

No one was better that George Lynch! He ruled the 80's!

[@Roy_Gaber]

Very nice, love the 80's guitar sounds. Glad to see you are getting over being sick.

[@CounterRhythms]

I love Reb Beach. I met him once when he was playing in Alice Cooper and he was super nice. Nobody sounds like his tapping. It's so unique.

[@Marcus_C51]

Wish I'd had the pleasure of meeting him, you are so right his tapping is unique! That's something I immediately noticed-no one sounds like him. Very musical, dazzling and takes you to unexpected places. Man did he have some chops!

[@PFSRecovery]

Oh learnt this one instantly when I heard this back in 2020 or something. Timeless.

[@DRWildside]

Winger was an amazing band. The drummer was incredibly underated.